Thank you for taking a moment to talk to us, Adam. Can we start by talking through your work history and how it led you to initially joining Datapath?
My work history is training based in various industries such as financial services and telecoms, where I held Training Manager positions. Whilst the majority of this was software-based training, during my time within telecoms this included some hardware training too. Essentially during this time I was developing and delivering training globally.
You’ve recently crossed a huge milestone with the company, being a part of the team now for 10 years. First of all, congratulations, but can you talk a little bit about how your role has evolved over time?
I initially joined Datapath as Training Manager ,where I was brought in to create a training program. It was a steep learning curve (new industry and new technology) but I was soon developing training programs (including CTS certified training) and travelling extensively training Datapath partners, and end users, on all things Datapath. Roughly five years into my time at Datapath the opportunity came up to move into my current role (Regional Sales Manager UK, Ireland, Nordics & Baltics) which I have been doing since.
What is your best work-related memory from the past ten years?
There are lots to choose from, everything from successfully developing CTS certified training to the main great memories I’ve made travelling the world with colleagues and partners. If I had to single one thing out it would be having successfully transitioned from the training role to my current sales role. Training was my background and sales seemed very daunting (and very different), so to successfully make that transition is a highlight.
We’ve seen many advances in video technology over the past decade. What changes do you think are on the horizon? And what would you like to see in the next ten years?
In AV, the traditional answer to this is typically higher resolutions, better quality etc, however, simplification is key. Datapath products/solutions are used in a wide variety of environments and, in most cases, simplicity for the end user is key. The aim being that Datapath is there to assist and not hinder. Good development always keeps this in mind. The end users are not Datapath experts, and they shouldn’t need to be, they should just see Datapath as a tool that helps them within their day-to-day role without having to worry about remembering how to get their Datapath system to perform a certain task. Further out, there is lots of noise about AI, and I think elements of this will start to develop within certain sectors that utilise Datapath. For other sectors (such as control rooms) this is further away but we need to ensure that an eye is kept on this as elements will start to come in which will have some impact.
What would you say are the most rewarding and challenging parts of your role?
The most rewarding is easy, seeing a project that I’ve worked on, from concept, complete. I don’t always get to see the end installation of a project, but it is great to see a completed installation where the end user is making use of the provided solutions, and they are happy with what they have got. The most challenging would be planning travel across the region I look after. The UK, Ireland, Nordics, & Baltics is a large area to cover and planning my time to ensure I can get on the ground within all areas of this region can be difficult, especially when trying to coordinate diaries with partners – But once planned the visits are always productive and enjoyable (even Finland in the winter ).
How do you spend your time when you’re away from work?
Typically, outside of work, you will find me doing the following – Taking my eldest (son) to his football matches (where I usually run the line or perform referee duties), taking my youngest (daughter) to/from dance, or watching the Super Rams! If time allows, outside of these priorities, I do like to travel and enjoy visiting places I’ve not been too before.
Tell us something people may not know about you…
I never want to visit Charlotte (US) airport ever again. During my days of travelling, delivering Datapath training, I had a flight connection at Charlotte airport. Due to various circumstances (adverse weather, staffing levels etc) I had 3 flights cancelled. By the time I got my 4th flight, early the next morning, there wasn’t really the time to leave the airport, get a hotel, and then get back in time for the flight. This meant an overnight in the airport. I found a nice quiet spot where I thought I would try and get some sleep and just as I was nodding off the contractors moved in to start on the overnight renovation of the terminal. The noise meant no sleep for me and no shops open, so food/drink was whatever was stocked in the vending machines. Anyway, I managed to get my flight the next morning and arrived in LA just in time to catch my flight to Las Vegas (I missed all my LA meetings) for InfoComm. So, if travelling around the US again I will be avoiding Charlotte airport. Nothing against the airport, just a bad set of circumstances that I don’t want to be reminded of!
